"Well, y'know, I just realized, we should really get home," you say, hurriedly standing up from your seat. Hope remains planted, her eyes fixed on you.
"Oh, are you sure?" says Vivienne, sounding dejected. "I really was hoping you'd help me with some experiments."
"Ah, no, see, I just realized, it's my dog, he hasn't been out since this morning and it's getting late, so I really should get home and feed him, and, y'know, make sure he doesn't make a mess of the house," you say, turning to leave.
Vivienne turns toward Hope. "Would you mind taking one of these, at least?"
"Actually," you say, intent on giving your friend an out, "Hope, did you leave the oven on when you made that, uh, bread, earlier?"
"Oh, I might have, actually!" she says. "Sorry, Ms. Vivienne, I need to check on that!"
Vivienne sighs. "Alright. Well, now that you've been here, the wards won't lock you out. You can visit any time at all."
You give no response, instead hurrying back, out of the monochrome forest, back into the normal woods and later, into town. You and Hope don't even exchange words on the way, until you see the familiar streets laid out before you.
"We made it," you say, releasing a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding.
"She...didn't really seem that bad," says Hope. "You'd think if she really wanted us to stay she could've like, frozen us in place with her witch magic or something."
"Yeah, well, I still think it was worth the risk to get out of there," you reply.
When you get home, you're quick to let Kyle and Danielle know you're fine, and you occasionally bring up the story with your other friends as time goes on. Some of them laugh, some roll their eyes, and some play along, but you can tell none of them quite believe you. Still, you never do go back to look for Vivienne's cabin again. You knew better than to get involved with witches. It never goes well.